CIVIC leaders have pledged full support for Airbus at Broughton following news that BAE may sell its stake in the company.

Concerns were raised over the possible impact of the move on 6,000 skilled jobs at the North Wales site, which manufactures wings for commercial aircraft and employs a substantial number of people from this area.

There are also fears for jobs in associated industries which depend on the Airbus project.

Deputy leader of Cheshire County Council, David Rowlands, said: 'With more than 6,000 direct employees - and many more in supporting industries and services - a large number of whom live in Cheshire - the future of Airbus is of great importance to our economy.

'We have long supported the development at Airbus and have worked closely with them to secure investment, most recently on the A350 project.

'It is important to remember this is as yet only a potential sale. We will be watching any developments closely and work to ensure the continued success and prosperity of the operation at Broughton.'

Labour group leader and Ellesmere Port county councillor Derek Bateman said: 'We know just what a world class facility the Broughton site is and how much that is because of the highly-skilled, competitive, motivated workforce.

'This is reflected in the over £3bn value being put on the sale of BAE's shares in Airbus, the high level of orders and world-beating wing technology and production that the Broughton operation specialise in.

'We have confidence Airbus UK will remain a world-beater and it has a prosperous and successful future, regardless of ownership.'

Borough MP Andrew Miller said: 'Clearly the most important aspect for us is the continuation of wing production at Broughton.

'But this will also be welcomed by our colleagues in the Bristol area and by people in the estimated 150,000 jobs that are supported by Airbus in the UK.'

In a statement, Airbus says: 'We continue to be fully committed to the UK and to its 13,000 highly-skilled employees.

'The facilities at Broughton and Filton represent the world's leading centre of excellence for wing design, development and production.

'A change in our shareholder structure will not lead to change here and there are no implications for jobs.

'Indeed, we are recruiting heavily in the UK to satisfy the high technology know-how that it requires for its new aircraft programmes. The only change will be that BAE will no longer take a dividend from the Airbus business.'